HC Deb 03 March 1920 vol 126 cc432-3
48. Major O'NEILL

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether it is intended to retain in the British Government the office of Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland after the passing into law of the Government of Ireland Bill; (2) whether, in the case of constituencies returning more than one Member to the Parliament of the United Kingdom under the provisions of the Government of Ireland Bill, it is intended that such constituencies shall be divided?

Mr. BONAR LAW

The points which my hon. and gallant Friend raises are matters which can only be dealt with adequately in Debate during the passage of the Bill.

Major O'NEILL

Is it not the fact that the Bill does contain Schedules with regard to the number of Members to be returned to this House, and can the right hon. Gentleman not give some indication as to the manner in which, where two Members are returned for the same constituency, they are to be elected? There is nothing in the Bill to indicate that.

Mr. BONAR LAW

It would really be impossible for Members to go through the Bill bit by bit and ask me to place interpretations on various points. There is no way of dealing with that except by discussion.

Captain REDMOND

Have the Government not yet made up their minds whether there is to be a Chief Secretary for Ireland in this House if this Bill ever passes?

Mr. BONAR LAW

That is another of those questions which can easily be raised in the discussion.

Captain REDMOND

But is it not a vital question affecting the future Government of Ireland?

Mr. BONAR LAW

There are other questions more vital.

Captain REDMOND

So I think

Mr. BONAR LAW

My hon. Friend may not have the recollections I have of past Home Rule debates, or I think he would remember that that question was raised over and over again in the debates.

Captain REDMOND

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman can inform the House whether the words "The Attorney-General" on the back of the Government of Ireland Bill mean the Attorney-General for England or the Attorney-General for Ireland?

Mr. BONAR LAW

Attorney-General for England.

Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSON

Is it the intention of the Government to take the Second Reading of the Bill before Easter?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I hope so.